I was hoping he wouldn’t.

His support has eroded and I doubt he will gain new supporters. There are too many other exciting and interesting candidates this time who will over shadow him.

in most other Western countries. But you are right there are many people running for the nomination who also share Sanders ideas and hopes for the country. So of course it will be diluted. Still, he changed the country. He will force others to be better at fighting for good. I am glad he is in the race.

committment to the now popular progressive ideas.

of Burlington and beyond. He used to talk about Bernie at times.

practice Democratic Socialism. Not one.

Even the US is a mixed market. But universal healthcare and other policies are practised in other countries in the West. Especially where markets fail. That is my point. How normal some of the things Bernie is talking about are, in say Canada where I am from.

What means of production and distribution in the USA are government owned?

Conflating social programs and government services with socialism isn't intellectually honest.

I don't think we are coming at it from the same angle. I don't see mixed markets as a problem if you are Democratic and want the best for your people and have the government step in where markets fail to do the job properly and with humanity. Something like universal health care is both more equitable and more efficient. Meaning it is fairer and saves money. I know Bernie is more socialist than I. My point again is for Americans not to be afraid of some of the social programs he is talking about. Many countries in the West have the same social programs. When they do it responsibly and pay for it as they go they don't turn into Venezuela. I can be for Bernie talking about the problems in pure capitalist secters of the economy and talking about solutions and not be for Democratic socialism. I trust democrats can have a debate over the issues and the best ideas will rise.

But it isn't the truth.

Police, fire, schools, and medical care paid for by wealth generated by advanced capitalist economies in liberal democracies are not examples of socialism. No matter who's trying to sell that BS.

Liberal Social Democracies are not Democratic Socialist states. Every liberal Social Democracy has an advanced capitalist economy driving the wealth that pays for their generous social programs. None has a socialist economy.

Venezuela is a Democratic Socialist state. Sweden is not.

The DSA fully supports the Democratic Socialist regime in Venezuela.

Beware of stalking horses.

liberals get power and put them into policy form with major adjustments if they are good and make for better futures and a better middle class. So I am not as afraid of Bernie as you are. I think we just have different perspectives. I did not support him in 2016. I do not think he will win the nomination in 2020. I fully admit Venezuela is a nightmare.

I think he is divisive and ineffectual.

I do not share his Democratic Socialist ideology. I'm a liberal Democrat.

have Hillary to kick around any more.

Warren, Harris and Klobuchar have him whipped with policy, personality, and presence. Biden Booker and Beto for the men's team-- even if all of them don't have a hat in the ring, they are strong pulls, and good for the winner to have in his or her corner.

The best Trump can hope for is a circular firing squad in the primaries-- but our side seems to be too smart to fall for that this time. Anything can happen in politics, but I could see everyone out there now pledging support for the eventual candidate at the outset.

And meaning it.

But I probably shouldn't be. I was here in 2016 when people on DU and that guy from The Young Turks were convinced that Sanders was going to win the nomination even after it was very apparent that only Bernie Math gave him a chance.

I wonder how many people have actually looked at the primary schedule. For Sanders, it's not going to be pretty after New Hampshire.

As I wrote elsewhere:

The 2016 primary was over by Super Tuesday, even though it was tailor-made for Sanders. He was in a 1-on-1 race against a polarizing Clinton, so he was *the* alternative for all those who had been conditioned to hate Hillary. He won't be so fortunate in 2020.

He probably won't even win New Hampshire this time around. He probably won't come in 2nd in Iowa again either. He's fortunate in that we start with 2 states that don't remotely reflect our electorate, but that won't save him.

After New Hampshire, the primary schedule becomes very unfavorable for Sanders.

On top of all that, there will be fewer caucuses in 2020.

in his campaign to die down.

New rule is that one has to be a registered Democrat to contest elections.

Policy before party for many Bernie types.

make it truly official he is running for the Democratic nomination. So thanks for that.

wouldn't that be something like start driving first and get a driver's license later?

...is a Democrat.

https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/2019-01-03-2020_Call_for_the_Convention_12.21.18_w-attachments.pdf

VI. Presidential Candidates
The term “presidential candidate” herein shall
mean any person who, as determined by the
National Chairperson of the Democratic
National Committee, has accrued delegates in
the nominating process and plans to seek the
nomination, has established substantial support
for their nomination as the Democratic
candidate for the Office of the President of the
United States, is a bona fide Democrat whose
record of public service, accomplishment, public
writings and/or public statements affirmatively
demonstrates that the candidate is faithful to the
interests, welfare and success of the Democratic
Party of the United States, and will participate
in the Convention in good faith. At the time a
presidential candidate announces their
candidacy publicly, they must publicly affirm
that they are a Democrat. Each candidate
pursuing the Democratic nomination shall
affirm, in writing, to the National Chairperson
of the Democratic National Committee that
they:
A. are a member of the Democratic Party;
B. will accept the Democratic nomination; and
C. will run and serve as a member of the
Democratic Party.
This requirement of written affirmation shall
not supplant any necessary qualifications a
candidate must satisfy at the state level, but is in
addition to such affirmations required by
individual states and territories.

I wonder about this part of the rule given what happen at the DNC in Philadelphia

In order to be a delegate to the national convention, I signed a form and swore an oath to support the nominee of the party. I am glad that this oath is required

Sure that will re-elect Trump but then Bernie can have his big rallies. 🙄. Susan Sarandon and that bitter Nina Turner will be thrilled.

Hopefully he doesn’t get defensive in the face of attacks.

I saw enough in 2016.

Wasn't pretty then, unlikely to get any better. Do the world a favor, Bernie. Retire.

I suppose we are suppose to think it is nice to be wanted, or something.

Isn't he announcing at a live event like the current front-runners did?



ONLY!!! 2019 and beyond.

I can't vote for him for prez. A lot of us old farts are turned off by "socialists."

Nor is the Nordic Model an example of socialism.

BS>...but "in Vermont everybody knows I'm a socialist." (1989)
BS> I'm not afraid of the word.

But many of us old farts are afraid. Just a fact. So it goes.

As an Independent, he'd be a disaster for the Democratic nominee.

No thank you.

I cant stomach another 4 years of trump, and sanders and the starbucks guy is just going to make it more possible.

we aren't a fucking party of convenience...